Stogie Guys Free Newsletter

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In January, Pedro Benitez officially launched P. Benitez Fine Cigars with a factory in Estelí (a factory that has since relocated to Managua, Nicaragua). Benitez, the founder of the company and also its master blender, was born in Cuba, raised in Miami, and processed tobacco for 25 years in the Dominican Republic.

The original P. Benitez line is made up of five vitolas, including the Lancero and the Torpedo. Even though it is less than a year old, Benitez has already introduced a second blend, this one called Antonio Benitez. It was blended by Benitez and his son, Reynold, in honor of Benitez’s first grandson, Reynold Antonio.

“We wanted to produce a line of cigars geared towards the more seasoned palate,” said Alberto Iturrey, the company’s co-owner and Benitez’s nephew, when I asked him why they’re launching a second line. “This blend is made with more full-bodoed tobaccos. All five vitolas of the Antonio line are Nicaraguan puros.”

But not all Antonio Benitez vitolas are made with the same Nicaraguan tobaccos. The Churchill (7 x 50), for example, features a corojo ’99 wrapper. But the Robusto Maduro (5 x 50) has a Habano maduro wrapper around its criollo ’98 binder and filler tobaccos. The latter is firm and oily with a few lumps and a nice double cap.

Once lit, the Robusto Maduro takes on a rich espresso character with plenty of black pepper spice on the finish. Definitely bold. After only half an inch, the power is complemented by sweet cocoa and caramel flavors. The result is a smooth, decadent mixture with a resting smoke akin to baked chocolate cake.

Seasoned cigar enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised by the depth and complexity in this cigar, which has an MSRP of $6.80. Likewise, the physical properties are excellent. Expect an even burn, a sturdy white ash, and a clear draw.

Currently, Pedro Benitez’s creations can be tough to find. But if you’re interested in trying the Robusto Maduro—and you should be—Iturrey tells me Habaneros Cigars will take orders by telephone, even though they don’t have this cigar on their website. I assure you the extra effort will be well worth it. This is one of my favorite new cigars of the year, and it’s worthy of four and a half stogies out of five.